Atif Fareed, the president of the American Muslim Community Center strongly believes that people are wrong when they claim that Muslims do not denounce terror attacks enough. He says that Muslims, from government and religious leaders to ordinary civilians, have been increasingly vocal in condemning acts of terrorism in the past decade.
In the aftermath of the Paris attack, proof of Muslims denouncing terror strikes can be found everywhere according to Fareed. The coordinated strikes resulted to 130 casualties that saddened and angered the whole world, including Muslims. Below are summaries of just some of the reactions of Muslim leaders and Muslim organizations that Atif Fareed has compiled.
1. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
The people behind the Paris attacks are brutes and cowards. The perpetrators should be apprehended swiftly and punished to the full extent of the law.
2. Spokesperson Qasim of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Islam condemns needless violence. Prophet Muhammad teachings require Muslims to take responsibility in keeping people around them safe. The attacks on Paris are not about religion, they are about political power. The people behind the attack are cowards who manipulate the ignorant and the uneducated into dying for them.
3. Muslim Council of Britain
Nothing justifies the taking of life. The Paris attacks are gravely immoral, offensive, and insulting against Prophet Muhammad. Needless murder is like spitting on the phase of Muhammad who has always preached about peace.
4. French Muslim Council (CFCM)
The barbaric attacks are an assault to democracy and freedom of expression. We should all stay united and not let these terrorists manipulate us into blaming one another.
5. Union of Islamic Organizations of France (UOIF)
The perpetrators of these attacks are criminals and the horrible deaths they have caused are unforgivable.
6. Chief Nabil al-Arabi of the Arab League
We strongly condemn these cowardly and senseless acts.
7. Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association
Human life is sacred to Islam. Taking the life of innocent civilians is appalling and simply unjustifiable.
8. Muslim Advisory Council to the NYPD
Killing innocent people to avenge Prophet Muhammad makes absolutely no sense. Muhammad is a prophet of peace and would never wish such wanton violence.
9. Birmingham Islamic Society of Alabama
Prophet Muhammad wished those who mocked him well and prayed for them. The brutes and murderers who perpetrated the attacks are not defenders of Islam.
10. Dalil Boubakeur, imam at the mosque of Paris
These terror attacks are an act of war.
We should not let terrorism divide us. Let our outrage unite us in our fight against terrorists.
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